Very interesting article. I think you are very insightful on the dispute between Ben and Candace. I really appreciate Candace and hope her influence grows. In my opinion, she has matured dramatically from when she first appeared on the scene. Fast talking neo-con war monger Ben has lost most of his early appeal for me. Candace has the courage of her convictions and is not a political hack. I do disagree strongly on George Floyd. He was not murdered. As the coroner stated, he died of natural causes due to his overdoes on drugs. His life and death while tragic indeed, was due to his own bad decisions. Thank you for your article. I am happy that I received it.
The difference between “anti-white bigotry on campuses” whatever that means and the after effects of 10/7 are obvious to anyone who is not blind to them. It’s almost funny to talk about anti-white bigotry in a nation that is controlled by white men, me among them. But that’s besides the point. The context of any “anti-white male bigotry” is sufficiently distinct from that of Israel and Jews. Again a pretty mundane point of view. Shapiro, like the Republican Party made the bed they are forced, or enjoy being made to sleep on. I don’t really care. They will blow up eventually as their poison envelops them totally. But let’s not equivocate between so called white male bigotry and what’s going on post 10/7 with both Jews and Israel. There is no relation whatsoever.
I absolutely believe that they are - unprovoked attacks on Jews on the street are just an inkling of what is possible. I know Roth’s “Plot Against America” is fiction but it sure is close enough to our present reality to suggest that we aren’t immune to the basest actions of humanity. Read Arendt’s work and you’ll see that it’s not a chasm between good people just living their lives and the banality of evil -
There are many more qualified to speak on this subject starting with the Anti-Defamation League, however the reality over 2000 years of human history is the otherness of Jews within non- Jewish societies and nation states. Like a small elite club that seems to control all the levers of power, they are an easy target for those who feel victimized, angry, resentful and downright hateful of others. And I do not think Americans, however good we see ourselves, are incapable of perversities.
As a Christian I’m taught and believe that humanity is broken - theologically it begins of course with Adam, Eve and an apple but really it’s a non-theological reality proven over centuries of human history. That’s why Madison wrote the Constitution taking into account man’s brokenness and capacity for doing wrong. I’m an optimist about humanity even given all of the evidence to the contrary as long as we have guardrails to help us remain on the road to salvation rather than perdition.
The students on campuses (attacking Jewish students who have nothing to do with Israel and threatening their safety) as well as crowds all over the world (chanting “death to Jews,” “gas the Jews”), swastikas outside of The Free Press offices, Jewish stars drawn in Europe on the doors of Jews.... have made it about Jews, not Israel. Ignoring the enormous rise of antisemitism right now does make one a shitty person. Anyone who pays attention knows about it. Candace’s stand on why are Jews special when American Jewish children are literally being relentlessly harassed, including physically, is - well - antisemitic. Defending that stand is antisemitic. Pretending, against overwhelming evidence to the contrary, that this is just about Israel is antisemitic.
While it is tragic that Jews who are not Israelis are facing these harassment, it is not unconnected to the fact that Jews who are not Israelis insert themselves into anything about Israel as well as the fact that Israel is sold as a state for the Jewish people, given those conditions, it's easy to see how people make that conflation between Israelis and Jews, and no, such conflations are not anti-Semitic.
Unabashed hatred, name calling and violence against Jews (indiscriminate of their views on Israel) is inexcusable and antisemitic. Making apologies for it is antisemitism.
What do you mean by unabashed hatred? How do you determine that something is unabashed hatred?
Why do you think Jews are the recipient of such unabashed hatred?
Name-calling is not antisemitism, violence is violence and it's wrong, but there is no way to tell that it's driven by irrational hatred. Driven by bigotry, stupidity yes, but hatred?
Antisemitism - “hostility to or prejudice against Jewish people.” Harassment and violence against Jews based on bigotry or stupidity is antisemitism. Take out the word “unabashed” from my statement if it bothers you. It makes no difference.
Antisemitism has the same reasons as racism, Islamophobia or any other type of discrimination. It is a perceived negative trait or behavior attributed to an entire group as a justification for abuse of that group. Regardless of said perceived trait or behavior, discrimination and bigotry against any people should be called out and fought against instead of apologized for and justified.
Very interesting article. I think you are very insightful on the dispute between Ben and Candace. I really appreciate Candace and hope her influence grows. In my opinion, she has matured dramatically from when she first appeared on the scene. Fast talking neo-con war monger Ben has lost most of his early appeal for me. Candace has the courage of her convictions and is not a political hack. I do disagree strongly on George Floyd. He was not murdered. As the coroner stated, he died of natural causes due to his overdoes on drugs. His life and death while tragic indeed, was due to his own bad decisions. Thank you for your article. I am happy that I received it.
Thank you for reading, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
The difference between “anti-white bigotry on campuses” whatever that means and the after effects of 10/7 are obvious to anyone who is not blind to them. It’s almost funny to talk about anti-white bigotry in a nation that is controlled by white men, me among them. But that’s besides the point. The context of any “anti-white male bigotry” is sufficiently distinct from that of Israel and Jews. Again a pretty mundane point of view. Shapiro, like the Republican Party made the bed they are forced, or enjoy being made to sleep on. I don’t really care. They will blow up eventually as their poison envelops them totally. But let’s not equivocate between so called white male bigotry and what’s going on post 10/7 with both Jews and Israel. There is no relation whatsoever.
Interesting point. Do you think Jews are at any peril in the US today?
I absolutely believe that they are - unprovoked attacks on Jews on the street are just an inkling of what is possible. I know Roth’s “Plot Against America” is fiction but it sure is close enough to our present reality to suggest that we aren’t immune to the basest actions of humanity. Read Arendt’s work and you’ll see that it’s not a chasm between good people just living their lives and the banality of evil -
Where does this hatred for Jews enough for them to be at peril in America come from?
There are many more qualified to speak on this subject starting with the Anti-Defamation League, however the reality over 2000 years of human history is the otherness of Jews within non- Jewish societies and nation states. Like a small elite club that seems to control all the levers of power, they are an easy target for those who feel victimized, angry, resentful and downright hateful of others. And I do not think Americans, however good we see ourselves, are incapable of perversities.
This is something I will never understand
As a Christian I’m taught and believe that humanity is broken - theologically it begins of course with Adam, Eve and an apple but really it’s a non-theological reality proven over centuries of human history. That’s why Madison wrote the Constitution taking into account man’s brokenness and capacity for doing wrong. I’m an optimist about humanity even given all of the evidence to the contrary as long as we have guardrails to help us remain on the road to salvation rather than perdition.
Check this pod from Bill Kristin on this subject ; https://www.thebulwark.com/podcast-episode/s4-ep9-american-jews-are-nervous-with-bill-kristol/
Thanks. Will watch
“ the conflict is about Israel and Palestine, not Jews and Palestine”
You lost me there. Hamas has made it clear that it’s about Jews.
Okay
The students on campuses (attacking Jewish students who have nothing to do with Israel and threatening their safety) as well as crowds all over the world (chanting “death to Jews,” “gas the Jews”), swastikas outside of The Free Press offices, Jewish stars drawn in Europe on the doors of Jews.... have made it about Jews, not Israel. Ignoring the enormous rise of antisemitism right now does make one a shitty person. Anyone who pays attention knows about it. Candace’s stand on why are Jews special when American Jewish children are literally being relentlessly harassed, including physically, is - well - antisemitic. Defending that stand is antisemitic. Pretending, against overwhelming evidence to the contrary, that this is just about Israel is antisemitic.
While it is tragic that Jews who are not Israelis are facing these harassment, it is not unconnected to the fact that Jews who are not Israelis insert themselves into anything about Israel as well as the fact that Israel is sold as a state for the Jewish people, given those conditions, it's easy to see how people make that conflation between Israelis and Jews, and no, such conflations are not anti-Semitic.
Unabashed hatred, name calling and violence against Jews (indiscriminate of their views on Israel) is inexcusable and antisemitic. Making apologies for it is antisemitism.
What do you mean by unabashed hatred? How do you determine that something is unabashed hatred?
Why do you think Jews are the recipient of such unabashed hatred?
Name-calling is not antisemitism, violence is violence and it's wrong, but there is no way to tell that it's driven by irrational hatred. Driven by bigotry, stupidity yes, but hatred?
Antisemitism - “hostility to or prejudice against Jewish people.” Harassment and violence against Jews based on bigotry or stupidity is antisemitism. Take out the word “unabashed” from my statement if it bothers you. It makes no difference.
What do you think is the reason behind antisemitism?
Why are Jews singled out for these seemingly irrational attacks?
Antisemitism has the same reasons as racism, Islamophobia or any other type of discrimination. It is a perceived negative trait or behavior attributed to an entire group as a justification for abuse of that group. Regardless of said perceived trait or behavior, discrimination and bigotry against any people should be called out and fought against instead of apologized for and justified.